Nature is beyond human control – but the narratives built around it are man-made. 

People of Gilgit-Baltistan live in a world that is aware of only one side of their existence. On 22^nd August 2025, at around 3 AM, a devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) hit Ghizer District. According to a local source, the mud flow wiped out the entire Tali Das village, leaving only one house standing. The flood debris fell into the river, blocking the water flow and forming a lake that spread over seven kilometers. So far, 330 houses have been affected by it, and the families have been evacuated safely.

The scenic backdrops of Gilgit-Baltistan are often struck by such disasters, causing haunting physical and mental disasters. However, there is an imbalance between situations in Gilgit-Baltistan and its representation in the media.  Senator Sherry Rehaman tweeted on X that the people were evacuated due to the Early Warning Systems (EWS), contrary to the fact that EWS was ineffective. A shepherd named Wasiyat Khan alerted the villagers with a phone call. Later, Rehman apologized and said, “The entire area needs a web of different EWSs, which is all I have been advocating for.”The harm caused by these disasters is not only physical, but it also leaves serious mental implications. 

Anam Zehra, a fourteen-year-old girl, faced the devastating flood in Gilgit-Baltistan during August 2022. She shares her experience as, “My family and I faced several mental challenges. The destruction of our home and land caused financial problems, which led to constant stress and anxiety. The uncertainty about our future and the struggle to rebuild our lives deeply affected our mental health. It was difficult to stay positive during such a crisis, but we supported each other to cope with the challenges.”

This trauma has led the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to live in constant fear of yet another environmental disaster;  people have lost their lives, homes, crops, roads, and other infrastructure. However, one of the most haunting issues that remains invisible is the mental health challenges caused by the environmental crises.

As Afshan Fazal, an environmentalist and a teacher, in an interview with Ibex Media Network, highlights, “The aid provided would have been utilized to reconstruct the houses [destroyed by floods], but the trauma caused by it stays still after several months. And no one does anything for that”. Hence, shedding grim pictures of traumas and fears behind the scenic backdrops of Gilgit-Baltistan, further worsened by the insignificant policies and selective representation. 

Also, the media’s selective portrayal has overlooked the pressing issues that people of this region go through. While the environmental challenges pose an existential threat, Gilgit-Baltistan contends with systematic exclusion from cross-border trade. Wealth flows through Gilgit-Baltistan, but not into it. It was evident from the trade volume between China and Pakistan that surged by nearly 47% to $856.3 million at the Khunjerab Pass in 2019.

A few influential companies are trying to dominate all the trade operations and policies, sidelining the local traders and laborers. Traders at Sost port have been protesting against the taxes implemented by the government since 21st July 2025. Yawar Abbas(late), a Journalist and Prominent Youth Activist from Gilgit-Baltistan, (I interviewed him before he died after falling from a cliff during a trek) shared, “Local traders are denied licenses, opportunities, and fair access to trade routes. No support systems or inclusive policies exist to uplift local businesses or address the unemployment crisis. This exclusion is not accidental. It is structural and reflects a deep-rooted policy of economic and political marginalization”. He further highlighted that upon protests against the denial of participation, authorities use fear tactics.  Meanwhile, the National Media rarely covers these issues, disconnecting people from collective political and economic discourse.

The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are being marginalized faster than their cries can reach Islamabad. Pakistan relies on Gilgit-Baltistan in many sectors. One of the most crucial sectors is water resources.

As Al Jazeera reports, Gilgit-Baltistan is home to more than 7000 glaciers, the largest number outside the polar region.

But, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pakistan is now experiencing water stress. Considering the heightened water stress, the construction of the Diamer Basha Dam makes perfect sense to deal with droughts and water scarcity levels. However, the construction has become a source of contention for locals due to the lack of local consultation, displacement, threat to ancient rock carvings, and inadequate compensation policies. People have been protesting for their rights over time. Recently, Molana Hazratullah, head of the protestors’ committee “Huqooq Do Dam Banao” (Give us the Rights and Build the Dam), expressed their grievances over the government`s ignorance. He said, “No progress has been made on the implementation of our charter of demands. Only committees are being formed, and delaying tactics are being used.” 

Spokesperson, Human Rights Council Pakistan (HRCP), Roshan Din, expressed his disappointment over the media coverage of the protest.

“Mainstream media has not covered the ongoing protests in Diamer adequately.” 

“Pakistani media often ignores or mishandles genuine issues of Gilgit-Baltistan,”

Din added further. The non-seriousness of the government and improper representation are marginalizing and further instigating the people against policies and policymakers. The peaks remain frequently in the news, but the pleas for rights stay in the blackout.

Another distinctive feature that Gilgit-Baltistan is known for is its literacy rates. But, during the annual exams 2024-25, the result for grade 5 was 42 percent, and the passing rate for grade 8 was 29 percent. This indicates a decline in education and policies that the government has implemented. Shoukat Ali Shahab, Regional Head, Uswa-FE&MT Schools Network, Center for Educational Excellence, Gilgit, says the responsibility for this failure is shared across various levels. Shoukat blamed the Gilgit-Baltistan Education Department for poor planning, lack of vision, and weak implementation, and criticized the Federal Ministry of Education for excluding the region from national facilities and support. He also faulted Examination Boards for mismanaged assessments and accused political leaders of using education for patronage rather than progress.

This should spark a national debate over the failure of the education system and policies. Disregarding such a vital issue depicts the non-seriousness towards the concerns of Gilgit-Baltistan.    

These issues and the ignorance of the state have given rise to youth activism in the region. The youth are trying to participate in politics through activism. Does youth activism provide a solution? The answer is no; rather, activism itself has become a target of policymakers. Youth are frequently targeted to deter and discourage them from participating in political discourse. Yawar Abbas(late) said,

“Youth activism has been constantly constrained by arresting and launching FIRs against the youth.”

He further added that the media often frames the struggles (of people of GB) through a security lens. This framing justifies the use of repressive tactics against activists.

“The result is a culture of fear, frustration, and alienation among the youth of GB, who already feel excluded from Pakistan’s national narrative”,

Abbas further added. 

These are just a few areas blanked out by the media through selective representation. However, issues like increasing religious sensitivity, health problems, and compromised political authority have always been there. The policies designed and implemented to deal with these issues are insufficient and incompatible. The selective representation in the media makes them more severe and concerning over time. The issues in Gilgit-Baltistan appear to be deliberately excluded from the national discussion. The despair among people is on the rise. However, the hopes of people can still be raised. They can still understand they won`t be marginalized any further. In this regard, an accurate media representation could be a good start.